It is possible to list at least four basic forces which brought about the dissolution of the British Empire. First, both Britain and her colonies recognized that some kind of self-government was necessary in territories which were separated by thousands of miles from Britain. Administration centred in London was increasingly difficult and expensive.
Secondly, the colonies themselves began to chafe against British rule and to demand to manage their own affairs. A note of aggressive nationalism entered into the appeals for self-government.
In the third place, individual British colonies and other nations began to forge economic, social and political links. Two world wars also greatly reduced Britain’s power in the world and made some colonies look elsewhere for leadership.
Finally, many Britons themselves realized that the Empire had become unwieldy and that relationships within it were a handicap rather than a gain.
Nevertheless, there was not a complete break up but the growth of an association of independent nations called the Commonwealth. There were three bonds which united the association. The close economic relationship of trade, labour and capital; the acceptance of many Commonwealth countries of British social, economic educational, political, military and legal institutions and customs; and the savings that could be made in the member countries by acceptance of British military and diplomatic services.
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